Champagne Dhondt-Grellet, Cramant, Blanc de Blancs, Grand Cru, Extra Bru (Base 2019)

Disgorged: October, 2022. Dosage is 1gr/L.

The NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Cramant Grand Cru is based on the 2019 vintage, harvested from 50-year-old vines, with a 30% addition of a perpetual reserve dating back to 1986. This is from two plots: La Garennes on richer soils that used to be market gardens, and Les Longes Verges with less topsoil, infected by fanleaf virus which results in small, concentrated grapes. The nose has fresh apple notes and the merest touch of crumbled chicken stock cube. The palate is beautifully taut, notwithstanding the ripeness Dhondt aims for, and a cut-through saltiness with a pure, bright lemon freshness. Slight phenolics on the finish add structure. 

Drink 2023 - 2035

This 2019-based wine comes from two lieux-dits in Cramant, La Garennes and Les Longues Verges. There is an attractive shyness to the nose, promising a lot. The chalky toned peach and yellow-plum nose handle the oaky notes very well. There is a fine toastiness waiting to emerge with time in the glass. Quite the powerhouse on the palate, with such tightness speaking of longevity. This is fresh and feisty but at the same time superbly concentrated and gourmand. There is a chalky bite to the texture and a tickly sensation from the creamy-energetic mousse, refreshing the dense whole. This is a complete and characterful wine with an even finer future ahead.

The most complete of the range, the NV Champagne Grand Cru Blanc De Blancs Cramant Extra Brut certainly retains the power that you come to expect from Dhondt, but it has another level of finesse that takes this one to the next level. A bright yellow hue, it opens to aromas of lemon curd, ripe pear, crushed stones, tarragon, and savory herbs. It moves seamlessly to the palate with a wonderful arch and a refined mousse as well as a chalky and silky-smooth texture that’s graceful throughout. A very impressive wine, it’s hard to resist now, but I imagine will improve greatly over the coming few years if given the time.

Drink 2025 - 2037

Aromas of crisp yellow orchard fruit and mirabelle plum mingle with notions of freshly baked bread, almond paste and white flowers in an inviting bouquet that introduces Dhondt's NV Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Cramant 2019), a full-bodied, ample and pillowy Champagne that unites texture, generous racy acids and a chalky structure. Seamless and complete, it concludes with a long, mineral finish.

Drink 2022 - 2037